Headlight for automobiles



y 1940- F. H. CORLBURG 2.209,052

HEADLIGHT FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed March 13, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

y 1940- F. H. CORLBURG 2209,052

HEADLIGHT FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed March 13, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 23, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to headlights for automobiles using internal combustion engines, and the main object of the invention is to provide a headlight or headlamp in lieu of the conventional forms, and wherein is employed in combination a neon tube light and conventional electric light, the neon light serving to modify and soften the otherwise harsher and more blinding rays of the electric bulb.

Another object of the invention is to provide in combination with the conventional electric headlamp of an automobile, a neon tube mounted in front of the electric bulb of the regular lamp, the said tube being preferably circular in form n and mounted concentrically with the axis of the electric bulb in spaced relation thereto, the inner wall of the circular glass tube being preferably coated or otherwise rendered impervious to light rays as emanating from the electric bulb, where- 20 by cross-rays and light interference is avoided and a soft glowing light is projected forwardly of the automobile which is non-irritating to approaching drivers.

With the stated objects in view, and other ad- 25 vantages as may appear, the specification includes the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal, vertical section through a headlamp with my improvement mounted therein.

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of the insulation block used for mounting the circular neon tube within the lamp casing.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal, vertical section through one side of the tube insulation block.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the neon tube alone, removed from the lamp casing.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail of one of the outer terminal clips used for mounting the neon tube.

40 Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the inner terminal sockets for the ends of the neon tube, showing a broken oif tube end mount-.

ed therein.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the 45 lay-out of the elements involved together with the wiring connections.

My improvement is used in combination with a conventional headlamp A which includes the outer casing B, inner reflector C, lens D, bulb 60 E, socket F, and wiring G, the bulb being energized from battery H supported on the chassis (not shown). 7

The improvement includes a circular glass neon tube represented generally at 5, the same having w the glass lighting loop 6 and the spaced and perpendicularly extended legs I carrying the electrodes and terminal caps 8, the legs being connected to the loop 6 through the elbows 9.

This assembly is dimensioned and adapted to seat freely within the parabolic reflector C, in a 5 frontally spaced relation to and concentrically with the light bulb E. To mount and support the neon tube in the stated position, an insulation block l0, preferably of somewhat elastic rubber, is mounted at the lower side of the headlamp 10 between the casing and reflector, where it may be cemented in place.

This insulation block I0 is formed at its forward end with a pair of spaced sockets H which open out forwardly in the form of perpendicularly disposed half sockets Ila, adapted to engage the legs 1, terminal caps8 and elbows 9 of the neon tube 5. A facing plate I3 having the complemental half sockets llb for engaging the outer sides of the tube elbows, is also provided, and is adapted to be secured over the forward end of the block by screws l4'c passed through aligned bores it formed through the plate and into the bores Ila of the block.

Outer terminal sockets or clips l6 are seated at the inner ends of the sockets ll, adapted to frictionally engage the caps -8 which are soldered to the electrodes of the neon tube in conventional manner. Wires or leads I! are connected to these clips. These elements are assembled by passing the legs 1 and caps 8 into the sockets II and the caps into clips Hi, the wires or leads I! being passed rearwardly out through the block I 0. The plate I3 is then secured in place upon the forward end of the block and over the elbows 9 by means of screws passed through'the holes Id of the plate l3 into the aligned holes Ma of block "I.

In order to mount the neon} tube inside the reflector C, the latter is slotted longitudinally 40 out along the lower wall, as shown at IS, in spaced relation corresponding to the'spacing of the legs I and elbows 9, so that the rising portions of these elbows may be passed along through these slots in the process of mounting the neon tube in place within the casing and reflector, as above described. If desired the slots I!) may be covered by plates of metal (not shown) with reflective inner faces, after the installation is completed.

To energizethe neon tube a conventional form of vibrator-step-up coil represented generally at H may be incorporated in the regular wiring system 2! as fed from the battery K, the same being connected in parallel with the regular leads 22 'the art.

supplying the bulb E and including leads 23 energizing the primary coil 25 which operates the vibrator blade 26. The leads II from the neon tube 5 are then connected to the ends of the secondary coil 21 and the installation is complete. The vibrator step-up unit H may of course be mounted at any convenient place on the chassis or car frame (not shown). A conventional switch 29 may be incorporated in the circuit and mounted on the car dash (not shown) for controlling the neon light.

The gaseous filler of the neon tube may be formulated as necessary to provide the desired color of light, said formulas being well known in Thus a blue, yellow or any other color of light beam may be provided for.

If desired the inner annular face or side of the glass loop 6 which lies in direct line with the bulb E, may be painted black as represented at 30, so as to provide a narrow opaque band to neutralize any interference or cross rays emanating from the bulb E, thus preventing any harsh or glaring light efl'ects.

While a circular neon tube is here shown, other forms might be employed that would not obstruct the direct, forward rays from the bulb E. Also any other make and break device for the induction coil might be used. Of course two or more neon loops might be unitarily mounted in the lamp.

In operation the light from the regular light bulb passes directly through the neon loop or circle, while the soft light from the latter, encircling as it does the inner periphery of the reflector, serves to neutralize any glaring effect of reflected rays from the light bulb. The re sulting effect of the combination is a'very soft and pleasant forwardly projected beam of light.

The resilient or elastic mounting for the neon tube afforded by the rubber block In and plate l3, prevent breakage of the tube under the vibration of the car in motion.

While I have here described certain structural features of the invention, same may be varied as necessary within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

In a headlamp for an automobile, the lamp embodying a cupped casing, a cupped reflector mounted concentrically therein, a lens in the open end of the casing, and an electric light bulb in the closed end of the reflector, the said reflector having two slots extending longitudinally out along its lower wall in parallel spaced relation, an insulation block seated at the lower side of the assembly between the casing and the reflector and at the inner ends of the slots thereof, the block having two sockets opening horizontally forward in alignment with the slots of the reflector and ending in perpendicularly disposed half sockets formed across the forward end of the block, an insulation facing plate removably mounted at the forward end of the said insulation block, said plate being formed at its inner side with half sockets complemental with the half sockets of the block, and a parted circular glass neon tube encircling the light bulb within the casing, elbows extended down from the parted ends of the neon tube, and legs extended perpendicularly rearward from the elbows, the said legs being dimensioned to seat in the horizontal sockets of the said insulation block, the elbows being embraced within the half sockets of the insulation block and the facing plate.

FRANK H. CORLBURG. 

